Life & Work with Diamond Rai

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diamond Rai. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was younger, I always knew that there was something different about me. I was raised by a single black mother, and I am the oldest of five siblings. Like most people, we grew up in a rough neighborhood and faced many challenges and disadvantages, but even then, I never let that steer me away from my imagination. I always saw the brighter side to things. Growing up I was known for being the girl who read chapter books, wrote poems, stories, and created art by drawing, painting, and even styling hair. After being bullied in elementary school and early middle school for being “different” and not fitting in, I started to lose focus of my creative talents, so I just sat them to the side. This caused me to slip down a different path in life. My mom, and new stepdad, saw the challenges I was facing and the direction I was headed in, so they decided it was time to move to a different city, with a different environment. In the beginning, it was hard to adapt to being a young black woman living in a predominantly white community, but eventually, it became somewhat my white light. I remember being a rough 6th-grade student and not wanting to make new friends and having this amazing teacher, teach me more about life than science. It could not have been easy for her and I have no idea how she put up with my crap, but she saw something in me that I didn’t… she saw me! By the 7th grade, I had started back writing poems and short stories, which I only shared with a few of my close friends. Throughout high school, I began to help out in the community by joining different youth programs and tutoring. By the end of high school, I had progressed in writing and took up advanced English and writing classes, which I excelled in. In 2008, I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA, but Instead of pursuing writing I took a break from school, to work. I later became a mom of two and had to adjust my life for my children, one of which is Autistic. My life was so full, but my dreams and my gifted talents were not being fulfilled. Something was still missing, so I attended college with a major in Criminal Justice. I wanted to create a change in the system for the youth, and for disadvantaged black teens, who were like me. In 2017, I decided to sit down and observe life itself. With only one year left to graduate, I made a five-to-ten-year goal sheet (based on my current life path). I still was not fulfilling my true life’s purpose. I had to get back to the drawing board and search my timeline of life, for the moment that I felt the most alive. I went back to the age of twelve when I wrote my first book. It was a bit all over the place, but still a good read for family and friends. It was then that I realized that for the first time ever, I was ready to live and see me, just as my science teacher did. I was a true diamond! I have since created and started my own growing production media and entertainment company, that is so much more than just visuals and events. The message that we deliver is powerful.

The creativity and mentoring here at Loud Diamond will enhance an empower the most creative, but hidden and talented people to fulfill their own life’s purpose. I am talking about creating a ripple effect in the communities around us, by engaging with the youth and mentoring young adults to see more in themselves. My mission to “Dream, Create, and Inspire”, has since been what I needed to stay focused, and what I continue to share with others. Ever since I’ve realized just how special our life’s mission really is and how our naturally gifted talents will make room for our future, I have been living in my true life’s purpose. I have since had the honor of changing dozens of lives, and writing and directing my own featured films, (Revenge House and H.E.R coming soon), along with writing a few books (I cannot wait to reveal), one of which will be dropping fall of 2022. I am thankful to be where I am today, and I am blessed to be able to be a blessing to others along the way. My moto will always be to DREAM, CREATE & INSPIRE!

“No matter the situation, always walk with your head held high… not because of what others may think of you, but so that you can clearly see every disadvantage being thrown your way… Life can only beat you down if you’re not looking up!” -D.Rai

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was once told that the road to success will never be easy. It will always take hard work, dedication, life adjustments, and tears to get you where you need to be. I myself, have had to make a lot of sacrifices, and adjustments to my own life, to pursue my dreams. I remember at some point it felt like I was losing everything around me and I just couldn’t understand what was happening. I started to lose friendships I never thought I’d lose, family that I thought would always be there, my interest in my nine-five and in college was completely lost, not to mention I felt so overwhelmed and alone at times, but I kept building, I kept writing, I kept going! It took me a while to actually understand what was really happening to me, and I realized that God was adjusting my life, to put me back on track because I was now ready to give the world all of me. You see, we are all born with our own path in life, and obstacles, distractions, and challenges may always seem to block your way, but you have to remain strong, encourage yourself, and keep going! Like the saying goes… “success is not for the weak”, and with that being said I now know that certain changes are mandatory for growth. Everything will be okay! God will remove every distraction out of your way as soon as you are truly ready to shine. I am now a mother of three, and I will stop at nothing to fulfill my life’s mission to affect change for them, for you, and for us, keep going!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Although I wear many hats in my community, I specialize in directing and writing. I am best known for writing amazing poems and stories, being a photographer, event coordinator, a mentor, and a community engagement specialist. I am most proud of being able to be versatile and multi-talented because it has helped me to be where I am today. I am also blessed to be a public figure that can create a change and effect in my community, by teaching and showing others what it means to truly dream, create, and inspire. What sets me apart from other creators, is the way that I communicate and take my time to perfect my craft and my mission, by focusing on people who were once lost with hidden talents, just like me, and helping them to find their inner shine, just like a diamond. Life is not a race, but it shouldn’t be a drag either. In today’s society, people are so busy being stuck in the social media world that they overlook what’s really going on around them. All creators have the gift to inspire change.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I hope that everyone who reads this is inspired to continue to succeed onto whatever path their dreams may take them, to pursuit their own happiness. Don’t just give the world “the best of you”, give the world all of you, because you will never know who’s watching, and the goal is to always move forward and never backwards. Be as loud as you can be because we are all loud diamonds, and the world has yet to truly see you shine!

Contact Info:

• Email: D.Rai@LDPEC.org -or- Loud.Diamond.ent@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Louddiamond_ent/
• Other: https://diamond-l-photography.square.site

Image Credits
Diamond L Photography
Picture Perfect Photography
Unique GFX Designz